Container with concave belt and lock seam

ABSTRACT

A container having a rectangular tubular body section sealingly joined to a top and bottom panel by curled lock seams. The tubular body has an upper and lower portion integrally joined together by a center concave smooth and rounded belt. The top and bottom panels are secured to the tubular body by means of curled lock seams. The containers are adapted to stack one upon another by means of the complementary configuration of the top and bottom panels. A V-shaped recess is located immediately adjacent each lock seam extending around the periphery of the top and bottom panels adding to the strength of the container.

United States Patent [191 Roper Dec. 25, 1973 [54] CONTAINER WITH. CONCAVE BELT AND 3,170,586 2/1965 Bulgrin 220/5 R LOCK ichaper et a1 ane Inventor: Ralph p Indianapolis, 1,570,519 1/1926 Mittinger 292/256.65 [73] Assignee: Wallace Expanding Machines, Inc.,

Indianapolis, lnd. Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Steven M. Pollard [22] Flled: i 1971 Attorney-C. David Emhardt [2]] Appl. No.: 195,583

Related U.s. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] Cmfinuatiomimpa" 101792 A container having a rectangular tubular body section 1970 abandoned 1 sealingly joined to a top and bottom panel by curled lock seams. The tubular body has an upper and lower 2% CCII "I; 253045 R portion integrally joined together by a center concave d 67 smooth and rounded belt. The top and bottom panels 1 le o are are secured to the tubularbody by means of curled lock seams. The containers are adapted to stack one upon another by means of the complementary config- [56] References cued uration of the top and bottom panels. A V-shaped re- UNITED STATES PATENTS cess is located immediately adjacent each lock seam 3,537,498 11/1970 Amand 220/72 X extending around the periphery of the top and bottom 3,561,638 2/1971 Morjan 22 panels adding to the strength of the container. 3,586,204 6/1971 Roper 220/67 1,428,705 9/1922 Pickens: 220/72 11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnmzs I913 sum 1 BF 4 r IN VEN TOR. RALPH E. RUPER- BY Q/avMfl/m,M/ut ,4 m

ATTORNEYS SHIET 2 OF 4 IN VEN TOR.

m m w 4 M H PATENIEOnzces ms SHEET u BF 4 l CONTAINER WITH CONCAVE BELT AND LOCK SEAM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 101,792, filed Dec. 28, 1970, and entitled Container with Concave Belt and Lock Seam, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of containers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Liquid commodities are frequently shipped and stored in circular drums. In my U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,204 entitled Container and Method of Making Same", which issued on June 22, 197 l a container is described having a rectangular cross section which is adapted to make maximum utilization of warehouse space. Other prior art containers and walls which are provided with recesses are shown in the following U.S. Patents: 867,940 issued to Bell; I,807,9l2 issued to Hansson; and 3,102,502 issued to Seeloff. These recesses are either not continuous or are not smoothly contoured and as a result, do not provide the degree of strength exhibited by the container disclosed herein. The container disclosed herein likewise has a rectangular cross section and also is designed to withstand greater internal container pressures. The U.S. Department of Transportation has established various specifications for shipping containers as detailed in Tariff No. 23 issued Aug. 3, I969, by TC. George, 2 Penn Plaza, New York, N.Y. 1000]. These specifications include hydrostatic pressure and leakage tests. The container disclosed herein is designed to pass these tests and has a smooth concave belt integrally joined to the smooth container walls. The normal gusseting and embossing of the container, which produce localized stress tear points, is not required as a result of the shape of the container and center belt.

The end panels are joined to the main body of the container by a curled lock seam which is produced by rolling the outwardly disposed flanges of the end panels and the main container body in curled fashion producing a solid metal lock seam. Prior art devices disclosing lock seams are shown in the following U.S. Patents: 3,251,515 issued to Henchert; 3,272,671 issued to Gaylord; and 3,425,381 issued to Wessely. The container disclosed herein has V-shaped recesses adjacent to the lock seams in each end panel which extend around the periphery of the panels providing for greater strength. The bottom panel is complementary in configuration and size relative to the top panel for stacking purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this invention comprises a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining the side walls together. The body also has a smooth continuous concave belt extending around the body with an upper and lower rounded terminus extending laterally. The side walls have an upper wall portion and a lowerwall portion integrally joined to and separated by the belt. A top panel is sealingly mounted atop the body.

Another embodiment of this invention comprises a rectangular tubular body having a first inverted L- 2 shaped top edge portion. The embodiment further comprises a top lid having a first generally horizontal wall with a second horizontal wall extending completely around the first horizontal wall and being integrally joined thereto by a first V-shaped wall. The V- shaped wall fits within the first portion.

Objects of this invention are to provide an improved container, to provide a container which is easily and conveniently stacked and moved from place to place, to provide a container which is stronger-than existing containers and which has a concave center strengthening belt without requiring various gussets, to provide a container having top and bottom panels secured to a main container body by tightly compacted curled and solid lock seams, to provide a container having top and bottom panels with V-shaped strengthening recesses adjacent the lock seams, to provide such a container also having a removable top, to provide a container with a concave strengthening belt with vertical columns, as well as other objects which will become ap parent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a container incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken through one of the corners of the container of FIG. 1 along the line 2-2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken through one of the sides of the container of FIG. 1 along the line 33 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom elevation of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the tool for joining the top and bottom panels to the container.

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 only showing a panel being joined to the container.

FIG. 7 is a reduced side elevation of two of the containers of FIG. 1 in a stacked condition.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the stacked containers shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a container incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a container with a removable top incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a container 20 which is formed from a rectangular tubular body 21 and a top panel 50 opposing a bottom panel 70. The tubular body 21 includes fouridentical side walls 24, 25, 26 and 27 which are smoothly connected by rounded corners 28 so as to form a container shape of generally rectangular cross section. Each side wall includes a raised main body section having an upper portion 30 and a lower portion 31 integrally joined together by a concave belt 29. Upper portion 30 is joined to concave belt 29 at junction 32 whereas lower portion 31 is joined to concave belt 29 at junction 33. Belt 29 extends completely around the periphery of tubular body 21.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary cross sectional views of the container of FIG. '1 respectively illustrating a corner section and a side section. Referring now to FIG. 2, belt 29 is rounded smoothly inward. Upper por-' tion 30 is convex as viewed exteriorly of the container with the most outward point being located at rounded junction 32 and tapering smoothly inward wherein it is integrally joined to angular wall 35 at location 34. Angular wall 35 exists only at the four corners of the tubular body and is blended into upper portion 30 so as to be nonexistent at the side of the container. Upper portion 30 is tapered inward being integrally joined to a vertical wall 36 (FIG. 3) at each side of the container. Angular wall 35 is likewise integrally joined to vertical wall 36. Flange 40 (FIG. 3) is integrally joined to vertical wall 36 being disposed at right angles therefrom and extending completely around tubular body 21. Thus, walls 36 and 40 form an inverted L-shaped configuration 41 extending around the top periphery of tubular body 21. This L-shaped configuration is not shown in FIG. 2 since the top panel 50 has been scaled to the tubular body producing a lock seam 61 which will be described later in this specification.

Lower portion 31 is shaped identically to upper portion 30'having a most outward portion at rounded junction 33 and tapering inwardly being integrally joined to angular corner wall 37 at 42. Wall 37 is integrally joined to vertical wall 38 having flange 39 integrally joined thereto at right angles. Walls 38 of flange 39 form an L-shaped configuration which extends completely aroundthe bottom periphery of tubular body 21. Angular wall '37 exists only on the four corners of the tubular member and lower portion 31 is integrally joined directly to vertical wall 38 on the sides of the container. FIG. 3 does-not show the L-shaped configuration 43 since bottompanel 70 is shown as attached to the tubular body by lock seam 79 to be described later in this specification. 1

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation of the container of FIG. I particularly illustrating bottom panel 70. The bottom panel closes the lower end of tubular body 21 and is attached thereto by means of lock seam 79. FIG. 2 shows the bottom panel adjacent to the tubular body 21 prior to curling of the edges of the bottom panel and the t'ubular member. At the edge of bottom panel 70 there is initially a horizontal flange 72 integrally joined at right angles to vertical wall 71. The tip of horizontal flange 72 is turned upward forming vertical end portion 73. Portion 73 and flange 72 extend completely around the outer periphery of bottom panel 70. Vertical wall 71 is parallel to the vertical axis of tubular body 21 and extends upward beyond the main wall 77 of the bottom panel forming an inverted V-shape 76 and ridge 75 which extends around the bottom panel. The main wall 77 of the bottom panel is recessed at 74 sloping downward from ridge 75 to the center of the bottom panel having removable plug 78 located for drainage of the container. The downward sloping wall 77 is integrally joined to ridge 75 by a steeper sloping angular wall 80.

The top panel 50 is configured similarly to the bottom panel and is joined to the tubular body 21 by means ofa lock seam 61. Top panel 50 (FIG. 1) has an upraised portion 51 with the center thereof being depressed 52 receiving a removable plug 54. A steep angular wall 53 extending around the center depressed area 52 integrally joins the center section to upraised portion 51. A depressed bung area is located at each of the four corners of the top panel each having a recessed wall 58 joined to upraised wall 51 by an angular wall 57. Top cover 50 has a bung area 55 in each corner in orderto facilitate installation of a conventional removable plug. FIG. 1 shows a removable plug 56 being located in one of the four corners; however, it is under stood that additional plugs may be installed in the other three remaining bung areas. Extending around the periphery of the top panel is a V-shaped recess 60 joined to upraised wall 51 by an angular wall 59. This V- shaped recess 60 (FIG. 2') forms a ridge 62, viewed from the bottom surface, which extends around the periphery of the top panel Initially prior to the curling operation to be described, a horizontal flange 64 having a downward turned end 65 extends around the top panel and is integrally joined to vertical wall 63 which has a bottom end forming ridge 62. 2 shows lock seam 61 which is formed by curling inward portion 65, flange 64 and flange 40 of the tubular body.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the tool 90 for producing the lock seam joining the top and bottom panels to the tubular body. The tool will be described in terms of producing lock seam 79 for joining the bottom panel to the tubular body; it being understood that a similar description applies for the making of lock seam 61 for joining the top panel to the tubular body. Tool 90 has a rotator 110 for rotating the panel and tubular member to be joined. Tool 90 also has a curler 91 which is driven into the flanges of the panel and tubular member to be joined while rotator 110 is rotating the panel and tubular member past the curler. Bottom panel is mounted atop a rotatable machine table 111 having a plate 112 fixedly secured thereto. Plate 1 12 has a flange 1 13 extending around its periphery forming a cam track 114 which follows a generally rectangular path outlining the rectangular cross section of the container. A continuous support block 115 is fastened to plate 112 by standard fastening devices 116 and has an inverted V-shaped flange 117 which is complmentary' in shape to the V-shaped recess 76 (FIG. 2) of bottom panel 70. Surface 118 of flange 117 supports wall 80 of bottom panel 70. Tubular body 21 is then mounted atop bottom panel 70 with flange 39 resting atop flange 72 and .with the edge of flange 39 being positioned inwardly of vertical end portion 73. Rotator 110 is rotated about a fixed axis (not shown) in the direction of arrow 119 and wheel is advanced slowly in toward the container. Curler 91 has a bottom slide 92 with flange 93 formed at its end having a cam 94 rotatably mounted thereto by fastening device 95. The bottom slide is retained for reciprocating movement in the directions of the double arrow 91' by means (not shown). Cam 94 fits within and follows cam track 1 14 as plate 1 13 is rotated by table 1 11. Movably mounted to the top of slide 92 is plate 97 having ears 98 and 99 formed at its end being spaced apart to rotatably receive wheel 100 rotatably mounted thereto by fastening device 101. Wheel 100 has a wide diametered lower rim 102 integrally joined to a short diametered upper rim 104 by a curved curl producing surface 103. Plate 97 is movable with respect to slide 92 so as to slightly advance wheel 100 in toward the container each time the table 111 rotates. Any number of means may be utilized to movably mount the plate 97 with respect to slide 92 such as a worm-screw arrangement.

FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 only showing wheel 100 in the most inward position thereby forming lock seam 79. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, as the bottom panel 70 and tubular member are rotated in the direction of arrow 119, wheel 100 is advanced slowly inward eventually having portion 73 abutting curved surface 103. As the wheel is advanced further inward, the wheel will rotate and portion 73 will turn back onto flange 39. Further inward advancement of wheel 100 results in the curlingof flanges 39 and 72 thereby forming lock seam 79 shown in FlG. 6. Flange 117 overhangs block 115 so as to allow lower rim 102 to slide under flange 117. Slide 92 is spaced away from plate 113 by gap 96 so as to prevent interference between the slide and plate 1 13 as plate 113 rotates 360. As rotator 110 is rotating the container and panel, slide 97 is advanced slowly inward. Several revolutions are typically required of the rotator before the lock seam is completely produced. After the bottom panel has been secured to the tubular member, the bottom panel and tubular body are removed and the top panel is then mounted to the table. At this time, it is necessary to remove support block 115 and install a similar block which is configured complementary to the top panel. After the top panel has been mounted to the support block, the tubular member is once again mounted to the rotator and lock seam 61 is produced securing the top panel to the tubularmember. In order to seal the end panels to the container during the production thereof, production tooling would be provided to simultaneously lock seam both end panels to the container. For purposes of effecting a liquid tight seal between the bottom panel and the tubular body and between the top panel and the tubular body, a flexible gasket 66 (F IG. 2) or sealing compound is inserted between the panels and the tubular body prior to producing the lock seams.

With regard to the stacking and nesting aspect of the container, of this invention, the top panel 50 is wider than the bottom panel 70. FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a container 125 stacked atop a container 130 both incorporating the present invention. The bottom panel 126 of the upper container has its lock seam 127 spaced inwardly sufficiently to fit within the V-shaped recess 132 of the top panel 131 of the lower container. Of course, the lock seam 133 of top panel 131 is spaced outwardly of seam 127 of bottom panel 126.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the top left portion of container 130 and the bottom left portion of container 125 of FIG. 7. As shown, the top panel 131 of container 130 is provided with a deep recess 132 which is formed by a vertical wall 137 joined to a wall 138 which projects upwardly at an acute angle with respect to wall 137. In one embodiment of the container having a height of 35% inches and a square cross section of 27% inches by 27 /4 inches, the depth of recess 132 from the horizontal top wall 131 was three-fourths inches. In this same embodiment, wall 138 intersected wall 137 at a maximum included angle of 55. A significant increase in the strength of the container results from the deep recess. ln containers having a shallow recess or no recess at all. the internal pressure indicated by arrows 134, 135 and 136 will force the end panel from the container. For example, assuming recess 132 to be shallow then the horizontal component of the pressure indicated by arrows 134 will force the side panel 139 out horizontally while the vertical component of the pressure indicated by arrows 135 will force wall 138 upwardly along with wall 131 thereby rolling out the recess and unrolling lock seam 133. By increasing the depth of recess 132 while keeping wall 137 vertical and the width of the recess approximately equal the included angle between walls 137 and 138 will decrease. As a result, the horizontal component of the pressure vector will increase while the vertical component of the vector will decrease. A significant reduction in the vertical pressure component exerted against wall 138 will prevent the recess from rolling out and the lock seam from opening.

Recess 132 receives the lock seam 127 of container 125 so as to allow the containers to be stacked. The bottom wall 126 of container 125 is recessed to avoid interference with wall 131. An invertd V-shaped recess is formed in wall 126 similar to recess 132.

The side wall 139 of container 125 extends downward from lock seam 133 and slopes gradually outward following a general egg shell contour as shown also for container 20 in FIG. 1. The top portion 30 of each side wall extend outward to terminus 32 whereas the bottom portion 31 of each of the side walls extend from the lower terminus 33 gradually inward to the bottom end panel.

It has been determined that a container incorporating the present invention has a high degree of strength being able to withstand relatively large pressures. The egg shell contour of the side wall of tubular body 21 in conjunction with the smooth rounded concave belt 29 extending around the center of the container eliminates the concentration of stresses within the tubular body which would normally occur as a result of sharp bends or corners in the container, It has been found that tubular body 21 is best produced by expanding metal as disclosed in my US. Pat. No. 3,586,204. The container main body is stiffened by the center concave belt so as not to require gussets or any embossing. The lock seams 61 and 79 in addition to sealing the top and bottom panels to the tubular body also function as bumpers or buffer rails protecting the container from damage. lmmediately inward of lock seams 61 and 79 are the V-shaped recesses 60 and 76 which increase the strength of the top and bottom panels preventing the distortion which normally occurs as a result of internal pressures within the container. The V-shaped recesses provide peripheral support around the edge of the top and bottom panels. Lock seam 61 may also serve as a means for lifting the container by a lift truck.

FlG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container 140 identical with container 20 with the exception that vertically straight strengthening columns 150 are formed in concave belt at each of the four lengthwise corners of the container. Belt 145 like belt 29 is symmetrical about a plane intersecting the belt midway between the upper and lower terminus (146 and 147) of the belt. The belt extends from the upper terminus 146 and the lower terminus 147 continuously and gradually to a location midway of both terminus. The strengthening columns 150 each have a top end 152 and a bottom end 151 which blend into belt 145 with the sides 153 and 154 of the column blending into belt 145. Spherical corners 149 and 148 are formed at the intersection of terminus 146 and rounded corner 142 and at the intersection of terminus 147 and rounded corner 144. Columns 150 and rounded corners 142 and 144 are of uniform radius with columns 150 being positioned inwardly of the columns and terminus 146 and 147. The top portions 141 and bottom portions 143 of each side wall slope inwardly from terminus 146 and 147 following the egg shell contour previously described. The terminus 146 and 147 are smooth and rounded.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. and 11. FIG. 10 is a top view of a container 160 identical to container 140 with the exception that a removable lid 165 is provided. Container 160 has four side walls, 161 joined together in rectangular fashion with the top ends 164 of the side walls being fixedly joined to end panel 162 by lock seam 163 identical to lock seam 61 (FIG. 1). Panel 162 has an opening for inserting or removing material from the container and is sealingly closed by removable lid 165 affixed thereto by band 166.

Panel 162 extends horizontally to location 170 (FIG. 11) where it turns upwardly forming a closed loop 171 which extends circumferentially around the opening closed by lid 165. The outer edge portion of lid 165 also turns upwardly at 168 forming a half loop 168' which receives in complementary fashion the loop 171. A rubber gasket 169 is disposed between loop 168' and 171. Band 166 extends completely around lid I65 and has a bottom leg l78'positionable adjacent to and between loop 171 and wall 162. Band leg 178 is integrally joined to leg 179 by intermediate member 180. Legs 178 and 179 are spaced apart to receive loops 171 and 168'. The opposite ends 173 and 174 (FIG. 10) of band 166 overlap and have respectively brackets 175 and 176 fixedly mounted thereto. The shank of bolt 167 extends through brackets 175 and 176 and is threadedly received by nut 177. By tightening nut 177 on bolt 167, the band is tightened so as to compress gasket 169. To remove lid 165, the bolt and band are removed and the lid is lifted from the end panel. Band 166 is spaced away from the edge of the container forming recess 172 which receives the lower lock seam of a container stacked atop container 160. The present invention includes a container such as shown in FIG. 11 which has a flat wall 162 or a wall with a V-shaped recess.

Many variations are contemplated and included in the present invention. For example, the container may be made in various sizes. In one embodiment of the container, the height of the container was 36 inches and the rectangular cross section of the container was 26% inches by 26% inches. This container holds 100 gallons of liquid and occupies only slightly more space than the traditional 55 gallon round barrel container. A smaller container according to the present invention holding 55 gallons and having the same cross section as the 100 gallon container is only 18 inches high. In one embodiment of the container. a single end panel was attached by lock seams to the side walls with the opposite end being conventionally attached or formed as an integral piece to the side walls. A variety of materials, such as liquids and powdered-materials may be held by these containers. In these two containers, the lock seams are curled approximately to one-half inch in diameter allowing the container to be moved by lifting same immediately beneath the upper lock seam. The lock seams are compressed sufficiently so as to be a solid roll of metal.

The conventional circular cross sectional drum wastes considerable storage space when aligned in rows as contrasted to drums or containers having square cross sections. For example, a conventional 55 gallon drum has a diameter of 24 inches as compared to a 100 gallon square container with same height as the drum and having a square cross section of approximately 27 inches by 27 inches. Although the cost to produce a square container is greater than the cost of a round drum, the cost per gallon held is approximately 30 percent lower. Following is a production cost comparison chart for a typical round drum and square container.

CONTAINER PRODUCTION COST 55 Gal. lOO Gal.

Round Drum Square Container l8 Gauge-SI lbs. l8 Gauge-79 lbs.

Material Cost $4.52 $6.79

Other Cost 273 3.40

Selling Price $7.25 l0.l9

Cost per Gallon-Container $0.l3l8 $0.10!) Reduction in container cost per gallon 29.34%

The railroad and trucking industries charge for the amount of space occupiedduring transit. Thus, the cost of shipping material in the square containers is considerably less per gallon as compared to the round drums. Padding material (dunnage) is used around the round drums due to thespaces therebetween whereas dunnage is not used around square containers. Following is a shipping cost comparison for a typical round drum and square container.

RAILROAD SHIPPING EMPTY DRUMS Q5 Gai G t1l Round Drum Square C(TnTiihcr Quantity per 40 foot car 300 204 fiiitrmna'ns I P l6,500 20,400 Weight per car 15,300 16.1 lb Freight Tariff Chicago from lndianapolis(Min,) $l9l.25 $l9l .25 Dunnage 26.00 Total Freight Cost $217.25 $l9l.25 Shipping Cost Per Gallon $0.0l3 l6 $000937 Reduction in shipping cost per gallon 40% TRUCK SHIPPING EMPTY DRUMS 55 Gal. l00 Gal. Round Drum Square Container Quantity Per High Cube Truck 225 153 Total Gallons I2,375 15,300 Weight per track (empty drums) ll,475 12,087 Shipping Cost class A Chicago from Indianapolis $2l0.00 $2l0.00 Shipping cost per gallon 50.01696 $0.01 372 Reduction in shipping cost per gallon 24% The lock seams provide a dual function. First, the seams join the end panels to the side walls of the container and are the load carrying members. Next, the lock seams act as bumpers so as to prevent damage to the container upon accidental impact. The egg shell contour of the side walls coupled with the lock seams provide for a fantastically strong container. The egg shell contour is defined by arcs of imaginary great circles. The side walls have a pillow-like configuration. The thickness of the walls may vary; however, best results have been obtained by having the walls of a uniform thickness. Best results have been obtained by curling the lock seams to have a spiralingly round cross section and so theyare positioned inwardly of the upper and lower terminus of the concave belt.

The containers disclosed herein provide nestable, rugged and strong containers of noncircular configuration by virtue of the marriage or unique blending of several concepts. For example, an egg shell type construction is used in combination with hoop elements and interrupted fold lines to provide a noncollapsible, nestable and rugged container, even when made in large sizes where wide expanses of relatively flat metal sheet are present. The introduction of possible lines of weakness is avoided in the forming of the instant containers from metal by the substantial elimination of continuous fold lines that ultimately could result in a failure or collapse of a container wall under normal stacking loads, etc.

For example, the continuous intermediate concave belt 145 (FIG. 9) and the normally continuous fold line 146 and 147 resulting therefrom are interrupted and the container body reinforced by the vertical support columns 150 in the area of the corners. The container corner lines are interrupted by the areas 35 and 37 (FIG. 1) at the top and bottom of the container while the hoop elements formed inthe areas where the top and bottom panels are secured to the ends of the main container body considerably strengthen the container by taking full advantage of hoop tension principles. The deeper the groove 132 (FIG. 8), in an end panel within limits, of course, the better the interlock between the stacked containers again due to the utilization of hoop tension principles. The containers have generally elongated, noncircular, tubular bodies with longitudinally arcuate side panels of generous radii.

Because of the fact that no welding is required for attaching the top and bottom panels to the body section of the containers of this invention, prefinished material can be used. lt will be evident from the above description that the present invention provides an improved container and a method for making same. it will be further evident that the container may be easily and conveniently stacked. In addition, it will be evident that the container has a center concave strengthening belt and is relatively stronger than prior containers without requiring gusseting or embossing.

While the invention has ben illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

l. A container comprising:

a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to said terminus and separated by said belt; and,

a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body;

said top panel has an outwardly disposed first flange with a downward turned tip portion extending completely around said top panel; and,

said body has an outwardly disposed second flange parallel with said first flange and integrally a bottom panel having an outwardly disposed third flange with an upward turned tip portion extending completely around said bottom panel; and wherein:

said body has an outwardly disposed fourth flange parallel with said third flange and integrally connected to said lower wall portion;

said third and fourth flanges are curled together completely around said container into a second solid lock seam; and,

said bottom panel has a continuous inverted V- shaped depression disposed inwardly and adjacent said second lock seam.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein:

said belt is symmetrical about a plane intersecting said belt midway between said upper and lower terminus.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein:

said belt extends from said upper and lower terminus continuously and gradually to a location between said upper and lower terminus.

4. A container comprising:

a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded comers joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to said terminus and separated by said belt; and,

a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body;

said upper wall portion of each of said side walls extend from said top'panel gradually outwardly to said upper terminus;

said container has a bottom wall; and,

said lower wall portion of each of said side walls ex tend from said lower terminus gradually inwardly to said bottom wall;

vertical strengthening columns formed in said concave belt between said upper and lower terminus, each of said columns are positioned in a corner of said rectangular tubular body; and wherein:

said belt has spherical corners at the intersections of said upper terminus and said rounded corners and the intersections of said lower terminus and said rounded corners, each of said columns have top and bottom ends blended into said belt at said spherical corners.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein:

said belt is symmetrical about a plane intersecting said belt midway between said upper and lower terminus; j

said rounded corners and said columns are of uniform radius; and, 5

said columns are positioned inwardly, of said upper and lower terminus, said columns extend through said plane and an equal distance above and below said plane.

6. A container comprising:

a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to said terminus and separated by said belt; and,

a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body;

a bottom panel having an outwardly disposed first flange; and wherein:

said top panel has an outwardly disposed second flange;

said body has an outwardly disposed third flange curled together with said second flange completely around said container into a solid first lock seam, said body has an outwardly disposed fourth flange curled together with said first flange completely around said container into a solid second lock seam;

said first lock seam and said second lock seam each have a spiralingly round cross section and are positioned inwardly from said upper and lower terminus.

7. A container comprising:

a rectangular tubular main body having a first inverted L-shaped top edge portion extending completely therearound; and,

a top lid having a first generally horizontal wall with a second horizontal wall extending completely around said first'horizontal wall and being integrally joined thereto by a first V-shaped wall, said V-shaped wall fitting'within said first portion;

said main body has upper and lower side walls; and

further comprising:

a concave rounded continuous belt integrally joined to and spacing said side walls apart;

said first portion and said second wall are curled into a sealed first lock seam; and,

said upper and lower side walls have their most outward extremity adjacent said belt;

a bottom lid having a recessed wall with a ridge extending completely therearound and a first L- shaped flange integrally joined to said ridge; and,

a second L-shaped flange integrally joined to said lower side wall receiving said first L-shaped flange;

said first L-shaped flange has initially an upward turned edge;

said first and second L-shaped flanges are curled together into a second solid lock seam; and,

said second lock seam of said container fits in said first V-shaped wall of a second container identical to said container'in a stacked condition.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein:

said first V-shaped wall has a maximum included angle of 55.

9. A container comprisinga generally elongated tubular body having longitudinally arcuate side panels of generous radii and said body being of noncircular cross-sectional configuration, said side panels being joined together with vertically extending rounded corners, each side panel being bowed outwardly between said vertically extending rounded corners, each side panel extending inwardly above and below said belt portion, panels secured to opposing ends of said body, said body having a generally concave belt portion located intermediate the ends thereof and said belt portion being provided with vertical columnar support elements located adjacent said rounded corners formed integrally with the belt, said support elements reinforcing the tubular body in the areas of the corners and causing interruptions of said belt portion in the corner areas of said container body, and said ends of said body being crimped to said panels to form container reinforcing hoop elements.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein:

said belt portion extends continuously around said body and has an upper terminus and a lower terminus, said belt portion has spherical corners at the intersections of each terminus and said rounded corners, each of said support elements have top and bottom ends blended into said belt portion at said spherical corners.

11. A method of attaching an end panel on a tubular container, said end panel having a main body with an outwardly disposed first flange extending circumferentially therearound and with a depression in said main body inwardly of and adjacent said first flange, said container having a main body with an outwardly extending second flange extending circumferentially therearound being parallel and positioned against said first flange, comprising the steps of:

locating a rigid support in said depression;

contacting said first flange with a continuous grooved wall extending circumferentially around a rotatably mounted wheel;

forcing said wheel toward said support to curl said first flange and said second flange in said grooved wall; and,

causing said wheel to travel around said container to curl said first flange and said second-flange into a continuous lock seam extending around said container.

a a a 

1. A container comprising: a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to sAid terminus and separated by said belt; and, a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body; said top panel has an outwardly disposed first flange with a downward turned tip portion extending completely around said top panel; and, said body has an outwardly disposed second flange parallel with said first flange and integrally mounted atop said upper wall portion; said first and second flange are curled together completely around said container into a solid first lock seam; and, said top panel has a continuous V-shaped recess disposed inwardly and adjacent said first lock seam; a bottom panel having an outwardly disposed third flange with an upward turned tip portion extending completely around said bottom panel; and wherein: said body has an outwardly disposed fourth flange parallel with said third flange and integrally connected to said lower wall portion; said third and fourth flanges are curled together completely around said container into a second solid lock seam; and, said bottom panel has a continuous inverted V-shaped depression disposed inwardly and adjacent said second lock seam.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein: said belt is symmetrical about a plane intersecting said belt midway between said upper and lower terminus.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein: said belt extends from said upper and lower terminus continuously and gradually to a location between said upper and lower terminus.
 4. A container comprising: a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to said terminus and separated by said belt; and, a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body; said upper wall portion of each of said side walls extend from said top panel gradually outwardly to said upper terminus; said container has a bottom wall; and, said lower wall portion of each of said side walls extend from said lower terminus gradually inwardly to said bottom wall; vertical strengthening columns formed in said concave belt between said upper and lower terminus, each of said columns are positioned in a corner of said rectangular tubular body; and wherein: said belt has spherical corners at the intersections of said upper terminus and said rounded corners and the intersections of said lower terminus and said rounded corners, each of said columns have top and bottom ends blended into said belt at said spherical corners.
 5. The container of claim 4 wherein: said belt is symmetrical about a plane intersecting said belt midway between said upper and lower terminus; said rounded corners and said columns are of uniform radius; and, said columns are positioned inwardly of said upper and lower terminus, said columns extend through said plane and an equal distance above and below said plane.
 6. A container comprising: a rectangular tubular body having side walls with rounded corners joining said side walls together, said body also having a smooth continuous concave belt extending around said body with an upper and lower rounded and laterally extending terminus, each of said side walls having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion integrally joined to said terminus and separated by said belt; and, a top panel sealingly mounted atop said body; a bottom panel having an outwardly disposed first flange; and wherein: said top panel has an outwardly disposed second flange; said body has an outwardly disposed third flange curled together with said second flange completely around said container into a solid first lock seam, said body has an outwardly disposed fourth flange curled together with said first flange completely around said container into a solid second lock seaM; said first lock seam and said second lock seam each have a spiralingly round cross section and are positioned inwardly from said upper and lower terminus.
 7. A container comprising: a rectangular tubular main body having a first inverted L-shaped top edge portion extending completely therearound; and, a top lid having a first generally horizontal wall with a second horizontal wall extending completely around said first horizontal wall and being integrally joined thereto by a first V-shaped wall, said V-shaped wall fitting within said first portion; said main body has upper and lower side walls; and further comprising: a concave rounded continuous belt integrally joined to and spacing said side walls apart; said first portion and said second wall are curled into a sealed first lock seam; and, said upper and lower side walls have their most outward extremity adjacent said belt; a bottom lid having a recessed wall with a ridge extending completely therearound and a first L-shaped flange integrally joined to said ridge; and, a second L-shaped flange integrally joined to said lower side wall receiving said first L-shaped flange; said first L-shaped flange has initially an upward turned edge; said first and second L-shaped flanges are curled together into a second solid lock seam; and, said second lock seam of said container fits in said first V-shaped wall of a second container identical to said container in a stacked condition.
 8. The container of claim 7 wherein: said first V-shaped wall has a maximum included angle of 55*.
 9. A container comprising a generally elongated tubular body having longitudinally arcuate side panels of generous radii and said body being of noncircular cross-sectional configuration, said side panels being joined together with vertically extending rounded corners, each side panel being bowed outwardly between said vertically extending rounded corners, each side panel extending inwardly above and below said belt portion, panels secured to opposing ends of said body, said body having a generally concave belt portion located intermediate the ends thereof and said belt portion being provided with vertical columnar support elements located adjacent said rounded corners formed integrally with the belt, said support elements reinforcing the tubular body in the areas of the corners and causing interruptions of said belt portion in the corner areas of said container body, and said ends of said body being crimped to said panels to form container reinforcing hoop elements.
 10. The container of claim 9 wherein: said belt portion extends continuously around said body and has an upper terminus and a lower terminus, said belt portion has spherical corners at the intersections of each terminus and said rounded corners, each of said support elements have top and bottom ends blended into said belt portion at said spherical corners.
 11. A method of attaching an end panel on a tubular container, said end panel having a main body with an outwardly disposed first flange extending circumferentially therearound and with a depression in said main body inwardly of and adjacent said first flange, said container having a main body with an outwardly extending second flange extending circumferentially therearound being parallel and positioned against said first flange, comprising the steps of: locating a rigid support in said depression; contacting said first flange with a continuous grooved wall extending circumferentially around a rotatably mounted wheel; forcing said wheel toward said support to curl said first flange and said second flange in said grooved wall; and, causing said wheel to travel around said container to curl said first flange and said second flange into a continuous lock seam extending around said container. 